ticketsMember | Make a donation

Chicken-Headed Ewer

4th–5th century
Not on view
The beginnings of the Chinese celadon tradition can be traced to the Yue kilns (a term that comes from the ancient name for a region in Zhejiang Province), which in the fourth century began to produce highfired stoneware covered with gray-green glazes. Early examples such as this were produced as burial goods. The meaning of the chicken head on the spout remains obscure.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 東晉 越窯青瓷雞首壺
  • Title: Chicken-Headed Ewer
  • Period: Eastern Jin dynasty (317–420)
  • Date: 4th–5th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Stoneware with celadon glaze (Yue ware)
  • Dimensions: H. (to top of handle) 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Richard E. Linburn, 1979
  • Object Number: 1979.353
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Funerary Urn (Hunping), Stoneware with olive green glaze (Yue ware), China
Funerary Urn (Hunping)
China
Ewer with Elephant-Headed Spout, Bronze, Vietnam
Ewer with Elephant-Headed Spout
Vietnam
late 2nd–3rd century
Model of Wellhead with Bucket, Earthenware with green lead glaze, China
Model of Wellhead with Bucket
China
House with Courtyard, Earthenware with green lead glaze, China
House with Courtyard
China
1st–early 3rd century
Granary Tower, Earthenware with green lead glaze, China
Granary Tower
China
1st–early 3rd century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.